Helfa Gelf art trail opens 171 studios in north Wales
- Published
Now in its eighth year, the annual Helfa Gelf art trail begins this weekend, giving hundreds of artists across north Wales the chance to throw open their studio doors to the public. Artist, designer and children's book illustrator Sophie Tilley, pictured, is opening her studio in Llanrhychwyn, Conwy county, for the first time.
Sophie Tilley has developed a business making cloth and wooden dolls. She said: "I wanted to be part of Helfa Gelf this year to show people what I do. I might offer workshops here. It will be social and creative. The first stage is opening here for the weekend to see if people can find me and to show them the creative process."
This year 171 studios and pop-up galleries are taking part, with over 300 artists involved. One is painter and sculptor Eleanor Brooks who lives in Llanfrothen in Gwynedd, seen here painting in front of her fireplace.
Sara-Jane Harper shares a studio at the Stansty Park Estate near Wrexham with fellow artist Tim Hutton. She said: “Often there are times when I become quite isolated and insular, which can be necessary for my work. So opening my studio is a great way to connect with visitors, and reconnect with other artists."
John Davies, a wood carver specialising in carved birds, lives and works in Prestatyn with his wife Marilyn. He has been carving birds since the 1970s, while his wife has been painting the birds for the past 10 years. Driftwood for the birds' perches is collected from the Clwyd and Conwy rivers.
Glassmaker Bill Swann is opening his gallery and studio in Porthmadog. An online interactive trail map is available to help visitors find the artists taking part, and includes information on every studio's location, directions and opening times.
Sculptor Nick Eames works in Cilcain, near Mold, Flintshire. He says: "It is my fundamental belief that everyone, within reason, should be able to own a sculpture if they see something they love. If someone says to me 'I like that', I say to them ‘What scale do you want and what’s your budget?'. I work with people to make sculptures on a scale and using materials suitable for them."
Jane Margaret Tudor, who works in mixed media, is one of six artists who work in a wide range of disciplines at the CASC studios in Llandudno.
As Victoria Crompton's studio is tricky to find high up in the Ceiriog Valley she is temporarily relocating to Glyn Wylfa in Chirk for Helfa Gelf. She said: "I enjoy making sculptural ceramics and I make functional pieces too. I create ceramic tea cups with little birds perching on top. Visitors say 'How can you drink from that?'. It amuses me."
Sculptor and ceramicist Matt Sherratt took part in Helfa Gelf for the first time in 2012, and will reopen his studio in the Conwy Valley this year. Helfa Gelf runs each Friday to Sunday throughout September 2013. The majority of studios are open from 11:00 to 17:00 BST.